No, that wasn’t my husband, a family member, or even a close friend that said that to me. It was a business colleague!

It’s a vision I won’t soon forget. Jack and I had been playing phone tag for a day or two. The message he left me on my phone was to call him at my convenience. That I did. Apparently my time wasn’t convenient for him!

Two takeaways from this memorable experience. First, if you answer the phone and are not ready to talk, say only “hold on a minute.” No need to relay any other information to your caller about your location or current activity. Secondly, whenever possible, set up a phone meeting time to avoid telephone tag. I find my pre-planned calls are more productive and pleasant.

Like many mothers, my mom wanted to be sure I looked my best when I left the house. I grew up in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in the era before permanent press clothes. This meant my mom ironed everything including sheets and my father’s boxer shorts. Mom was so meticulous about her ironing, that she used a sleeve board so that our shirts didn’t have creases down the sleeves.

One of my classmates in junior high was a girl named Judy Quay. She, too, had a mother who ironed her clothes. But her sleeves always had this great crisp crease. I loved it. I was jealous. My mother was really proud of her ironing so I wisely kept my mouth shut.

Fast forward 40 years. My mom and I are sitting at her kitchen table in Sun City, AZ, chatting about today’s youth. You’ve probably had the same conversation with someone – what kids wear, what they read, what they watch, what they do, etc. I commented to my mom that I always loved Judy Quay’s creased shirtsleeves. My mom looked at me with a shocked expression and said, “If only I had known! I wouldn’t have gone to all that extra work!” We laughed and laughed.

Moral of the story. Don’t make unnecessary work for yourself with a family member, a friend, or a client. If there are choices to be made that are easier, suggest them and ask what they prefer.